WEEK OF NOVEMBER 16, 2022
VOLUME 37, NUMBER 47
Debate over ‘dictating’ as Allers named mayor By NATHAN MAYBERG
nmayberg@breezenewspapers.com
The Town of Fort Myers Beach Council elected Dan Allers as the next mayor Monday, after the swearing-in of new councilmembers John R. King and Karen Woodson in a process that led to Town of Fort Myers Beach Manager Roger Hernstadt exiting under a resignation that was accepted at the same meeting and then turned into a suspension with pay
This is by no means an attempt at dictating anything. It was a way for me to try to get ahead of the game to try and decide what was the best action to divide and conquer if you will to get weekly updates, to provide information to this council.” — DAN ALLERS FORT MYERS BEACH MAYOR
under the direction of Woodson and a 3-2 vote by the council. The council voted to give Allers the authority to find a replacement for Hernstadt, which he said he had already been in talks about before being elected mayor. Allers said he has spoken with county, state and federal officials about finding a replacement for Hernstadt — who had just given his letter of resignation See DEBATE, page 3
Rock The Shrimpers Relief Benefit Sunday By NATHAN MAYBERG
nmayberg@breezenewspapers.com
Allers named mayor, council suspends manager after accepting resignation By NATHAN MAYBERG
nmayberg@breezenewspapers.com
own of Fort Myers Beach Manager Roger Hernstadt had sent the Town of Fort Myers Beach Council a letter Sunday indicating his intention to resign in April. As the council discussed Monday at its meeting whether it would be cheaper to appoint an interim manager with-
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insidetoday
out waiting for April, Hernstadt voiced that he would resign Monday. The town council ultimately voted to accept his resignation but not before following that 4-1 vote with a 3-2 vote to suspend Hernstadt with pay until a separation agreement could be finalized. Two newly elected council memSee COUNCIL, page 3
Dan Allers (left) was elected mayor on Monday by the new town council. After voting to accept Town of Fort Myers Beach Manager (right) Roger Hernstadt’s resignation, Allers then supported a 3-2 vote to suspend Hernstadt with pay. Allers called Hernstadt “a friend.” FILE PHOTOS
Restore Fort Myers Beach Arches will host a “Rock the Shrimpers Relief Benefit” on Sunday at Torched Bar & Grill in Cape Coral. The concert will benefit the Fort Myers Beach shrimping industry, with the proceeds going delivered to Trico Shrimp Company, Erickson & Jenson Shrimp Company “and independent shrimpers on Fort Myers Beach equally depending on the number of boats they own,” Restore Fort Myers Beach Arches President Steven Ray McDonald said. The lineup is as follows: ∫ 1 - 1:30 p.m. - Smokin Aces ∫ 1:50 - 2:50 p.m. - Affinity ∫ 3:10 - 4:10 p.m. - Riverside ∫ 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. - Rock Candy ∫ 5:50 - 6:50 p.m. - Soapy Tuna “Donations are tax deductible through ‘Restore Fort Myers Beach Arches’ FEI/EIN 82-2099463,” McDonald said. The shrimping industry has taken a beating since Hurricane Ian with many of the boats rendered inoperable and awaiting assistance to be pulled off land after getting pushed onto the property of Erickson & Jenson and Trico. On Oct. 19, the Florida Department of Emergency Management released a Request for Quotations for the removal of debris associated with Hurricane Ian.On Oct. 27, the work was awarded to three large debris companies. The shrimp trawlers will be funded through this contract but will not be treated as debris. The See RELIEF BENEFIT, page 5
Guest Commentary......................................................4 Beach Living.................................................................8 Web Poll........................................................................4 Beach Bulletin.......................................................17-24 Business.......................................................................6